document.write( "Question 1143646: The equation of the plane passing thru points (5,4,1) ,(4,-2,-3) and (0,6,5) is expressed as x/A+y/B+z/C=1
\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of B
\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of C
\n" ); document.write( "Find the equation of the plane.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #764545 by Alan3354(69443)\"\" \"About 
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The equation of the plane passing thru points Q(5,4,1), R(4,-2,-3) and S(0,6,5) is expressed as x/A+y/B+z/C=1
\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of B
\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of C
\n" ); document.write( "Find the equation of the plane.
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\n" ); document.write( "Step 1, define 2 vectors, QR and RS.
\n" ); document.write( "Q - R = (1,6,4)
\n" ); document.write( "QR = i + 6j + 4k
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\n" ); document.write( "R - S = (4,-8,-8)
\n" ); document.write( "RS = 4i - 8j - 8k
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\n" ); document.write( "Step 2 find the cross product of QR and RS
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document.write( "|i   j   k|\r\n" );
document.write( "|1   6   4| = i*(-48+32) - j*(-8-16) + k*(-8-24) = -16i + 24j - 32k\r\n" );
document.write( "|4  -8  -8|\r\n" );
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\n" ); document.write( "This the vector normal to the plane.
\n" ); document.write( "Since we're not concerned with its magnitude, reduce it to
\n" ); document.write( "2i - 3j + 4k\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Call it N.
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\n" ); document.write( "Derive the equation of the plane.
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\n" ); document.write( "The equation of the plane is Ni(x-a1) + Nj(y-a2) + Nk(z-a3) = 0, where (a1,a2,a3) is any point in the plane and (Ni,Nj,Nk) is the normal vector, N.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "In the example, using point Q, which is (5,4,1), the equation of the plane is 2(x-5) - 3(y-4) + 4(z-1) = 0, which simplifies to\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2x-10 - 3y+12 + 4z-4 = 0, or
\n" ); document.write( "2x - 3y + 4z = 2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Verify your answer. Substitute the original points to see if they satisfy the equation of the plane.
\n" ); document.write( "(5,4,1)
\n" ); document.write( "2*5 - 3*4 + 4 = 2 OK
\n" ); document.write( "(4,-2-3)
\n" ); document.write( "2*4 + -3*-2 + 4*-3 = 2 OK
\n" ); document.write( "(0,6,5)
\n" ); document.write( "2*0 - 3*6 + 4*5 = 2 OK
\n" ); document.write( "The 3 points are in the plane.
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\n" ); document.write( "To express it in the form x/A+y/B+z/C=1 divide by 2.
\n" ); document.write( "x/2 + y/(-2/3) + z/(1/2) = 1
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\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of B
\n" ); document.write( "B = -2/3
\n" ); document.write( "Find the value of C
\n" ); document.write( "c = 1/2
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\n" ); document.write( "PS I made an Excel sheet that does these, if you're interested.
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